Chapter 9: The sound of drumsNotes:
Warning: This chapter has death and murder in, it got very dark not sure how that happened. Probably because I've been in a horror binge watch.
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
The world passed him by, as he laid abandoned, forgotten amongst the trees. He watched the sun rise and fall as he waited. His crew would come, they wouldn't abandon him, would they? Of course they wouldn't, they were the straw-hat pirates, brave warriors of the sea, the first crew in a century to reach the end of the line.
Usopp just needed to be patient, they would come for him, they would turn up just in time like always.
Zoro had probably gotten them lost.
Yes, that was right, they wouldn't leave him behind.
Usopp forced himself to turn to the side his body heavy and weak. The sight that met him made his flinch in shock, how could he let this happen? It would bring his captain shame.
Where his arm had once stood was a blackened husk. He needed to move, to cover the truth. How could he be the king's sniper with one arm?
It was okay, he assured himself, he would still be useful. If he couldn't use his slingshot he would use his word, that's it, he'd always been great at telling stories.
Tears filled his eyes as he realised, he didn't need to be a great warrior, he just needed to be a straw hat, surely, they would still have him?
His brain slowly registered the sound of footsteps drawingcloser, steadily moving their way through the forest to his hiding place.
He could hear a gasp of pain, as it carried through the air, cutting throughthe ever-present sounds of war.
"Ussop" A broken voice sobbed, it was unfamiliar but still felt like home, he was okay, someone had come.
Ussop tried to turn, to use the last of his strength to greet his saviour, but his weak body refused to comply.
He heard the footsteps hasten to his side could feel himself being jostled, the pain sending white flashes of pain through Usopps tired mind. Hardened calloused hands held him strong. The sniper tried to focus, to see who had come for him, but his eyes refused to comply with his brain.
"It's okay son, I've got you" Was the last thing he heard as he fell into the blackness.
When he returned to awareness he could feel no more pain, he felt arms tighten around him as he blearily blinked. A bright light filled his vision and within he saw a face he had thoughthe would never get to see again.
"Kaya?" Ussop exclaimed his voice hoarse and quiet from disuse.
"You're awake." Kaya's voice sounds wrong, too deep, but it mattered none to the sniper glad to see his heart again."It's okay son I have you, you're a fighter. You will survive this."
"Kaya, I'm so happy to see you, I have so much I want to tell you" Ussop rambled, his words falling from his mouth in a non-comprehensible garbled mess."It'll sound crazy but it's all true, promise."
Ussop watched as tears fell from Kaya's eyes, it was wrong, everything was wrong. He could feel the chest beneath him heaving with sobs. He wanted to make the pain go away like when they were children.
"Luffy, you remember Luffy don't you?" Ussop asked looking to his angel who nodded brokenly. "He's going to be king now, we made it see, just like I promised you."
The sobs got harder; it was all wrong. Kaya again her voice low with emotion "Yes, you made it son. Hold on a bit longer and you'll soon see your king, can you do that Usopp? For me?"
"I could fly for you Kaya!" Ussop muttered, using the last of his energy to reach up and touch Kaya's face. It felt too large in his hand, but she had grown, gotten stronger, as had he. Hadn't he.
"You're strong Usopp, the strongest, you can stay awake, stay with me." Kaya begged hand coming up to hold his hand tightly.
"I will Kaya, I just need to take a little nap, gotta make sure I'm in top condition when Luffy gets back..." Ussop slipped away, his hand going limp around his father's face.
Yassop sobbed at the top of his voice, he had failed his son in so many ways and now it was too late.
He had abandoned his family for a life of piracy only to discover his life was a lie.
He begged for someone to find him, pirate or marine he didn't care, if they could reunite him with his family.
Luffy smiled as he saw Syrup Village coming into view, it had been a long four days at sea, but they had finally made it too their destination.
Nami sighed as her feet touched the sand, glad to be out of the cramped quarters of Buggy's boat. The days at sea had been long filled with suspicious glares being thrown her way from the green haired swordsman.
She hadn't had a moment alone since agreeing to accompany them. If they were to continue sailing together they would need a bigger boat and Syrup Village seemed the ideal place to get one.
Looking to her right she could see Luffy surveying the land a huge grin on his face. Zoro was stretching and yawning, how tired could this lazy bum be, he had spent every moment he wasn't glaring at her sleeping!
"Hmmm." Luffy muttered his eyes carefully surveying the bushes around them.
Zoro stood to attention following Luffy's eyeline hand on his sword. Nami had watched the two interact as they sailed, they seemed to move as one, understanding the others motives in an instant, if she didn't know better, she would have thought they had grown up together.
"We're being watched!" Zoro advised the red headwho instantly reached for her bo staff.
Suddenly projectiles came at them from behind the bush, hitting the ground at their feet. Nami took cover behind Luffy as he effortlessly avoided the hits. Zoro stood his ground; sword raised, the few shots he took not affecting him.
"Hey!" Luffy called out voice petulant and his lower lip stuck out. "No fair, I'm wearing sandals."
Suddenly pirate flags revealed themselves from the bushes, surrounding the trio.
"Whoa, that's so cool!" Luffy shook his arms in excitement, his sniper always had the best ideas.
Nami however didn't seem to agree asking if they were supposed to be impressed. Luffy pouted at the redhead; it was a smart plan he thought, it may not work on everyone, but it would make some think twice about attacking.
Finally, Usopp revealed himself standing strong in front of his flag laughing confidently.
"I am Usopp, leader of the invincible nation of pirates who reign over this island! You stand before a living legend the most revered pirate who ever lived, I am the great Captain Usopp."
Luffy's heart pounded happily in his chest as he watchedUsopp, his brave warrior, standing his ground against three pirates who had docked on his island. He could tell the boy was afraid, the slight vibrations in his knees, but he still stood strong.
This was true bravery, being afraid but standing strong regardless.
"Just know that planning a plot against this island would mean certain death, my army of 80 million super mean pirate soldiers would crush you like bugs!" Usopp held out his arms the flags around him moving up and down.
Luffy couldn't help it, he was so impressed by his sniper. "Awesome!"
Nami and Zoro gave him a side-eye questioning howthe captain could havefallen for the boy's ruse, but Luffy didn't care as he carried on beaming at his sniper.
"You expect us to believe that?" Nami asked brightly stepping out from behind Luffy.
Luffy watched as Usopps confidence failed him, panic seeping in. Nami laughed as Usopp panicked above them.
"Hey, leave him alone!" Luffy pouted at Nami, crossing his arms and sulking. "It was a cool plan."
"Curse you, you damn'd tactician, 80 million may have been an exaggeration, but I have a great many men under my control." Usopp tried desperately to recover the situation.
Zoro and Nami smirked at each other as Luffy continued to pout, he had been enjoying Usopp's show.
"My guess is three." Nami declared looking at Zoro who nodded in agreement.
"Ah, she does know!" Three kids screamed before fleeing the scene in panic.
Usopp called after his voice shaking, but held his ground as Nami stepped forward retrieving one of the projectiles from the floor.
"A pirate using a slingshot huh?" She smiled inspecting the metal ball. "Now I've seen it all"
Luffy laughed joyfully. "That's pretty cool!"
The rubber boy was taken aback as Usopp responded in anger threatening to shut his mouth. He hadn't been making fun of Usopp, genuinely impressed the ingenuity of his plan. Had Usopp really been this self-conscious even then?
"This is your last warning, or you'll get to see why they call me proud Usopp and not pushover Usopp."
Luffy grinned tohis swordsman, trusting him to understand. One look atLuffy's eyes and Zoro could see the straw hat had claimed the boy, he raised his eyebrow checking Luffy was sure. The rubber boynodded firmly declaring his intentions to his first mate.
"Is that clear?" Usopp shouted. "You've already seen how good I am with this this, I could rival anyone with a pistol."
Zoro rolled his eyes as Luffy raised a hand to his hat, his captain could be so dramatic, but he'd let his captain have his fun.
"Now that you've drawn your pistol are you willing to use it?" He grinned up from under the rim of his hat. "Guns aren't for threats they're for actions, are you willing to risk your life."
Zoro chuckled as he showed the rim of his sword, testing the snipers resolve.
"I can assure you we are real pirates, consider your next move carefully." Zoro called up his smirk dark.
Luffy and Zoro stared down the sniper who remained locked in their vision weapon drawn. He held his position for as longas he could as his knees began to shake, the vibrations traversingup his body until he could no longer hold his shot. He fell to his knees sweat rolling down his face.
"Real pirates definitely have a lot more punch behind their words because they can actually back them up, that's so cool!" Usopp cried to himself.
Luffy stepped forward a laugh slowly bubbling in his core, Zoro joined his captain this kid was too easy.
"I stole that!" Luffy admitted laughing. "I stole those words from Red Haired Shanks a pirate I know!"
"Wait you know Red Haired Shanks, you really are a pirate! Do you really know him?" Usopp called out impressed.
"Yup, I know your Dad too Yassop right?" Luffy grinned as Usopp fell from the cliff in his excitement.
"You're right, my old man's name is Yassop, but how in the world do you know him?" Usopp asked, his voice small.
"It's kind of a long story, why don't we get some meat, and I'll tell you all about it!" Luffy grinned as Nami and Zoro rolled their eyes why did it always come back to food with this guy.
The crew enjoyed theirmeal as Luffy told the tale of how he had met the Red-Haired pirates as a child, ensuring to tell Usopp how proud his father was off his son. As they talked the sniperclung to every word, excited to hear about the parent he had never got to know.
All the village ever said of his father was how he was a lowlife criminal who had abandoned his family, but Luffy spoke of his father with reverenceobviously holding Yassop in high esteem.
Luffy grinned as he flung the group of straw hats and Usopp pirates over the garden walls of Kaya's ensured to soften the landing not wanting to ruin kind-hearted girls'lawn.
Kaya was just how Luffy remembered her,gentle and kind in the face of strange pirates crashing into her lawn. Unfortunately, the evil pirate butler was also just a Luffy remembered him, arrogant and self-entitled, how dare this sorry excuse of a humaninsult Yassop, if Usopp hadn't taken action and punched the smirk from his face then Luffy mayhave killed him then and there.
Luckily for the timeline Zoro had held Luffy back long enough for Usopp to get there first. Luffy watched on impressed by Usopp's resolve as he defended his father.
Kaya begged for everyone to stop from her balcony, her kind heart not fit to faceviolence. Luffy couldn't help but flinch as he remembered how SyrupVillage had been wiped off the map shortly after Dawn, Kaya had deserved better.
Luffy followed Usopp as he fled the scene, turning his back on the pirate he so desperately wanted to stomp into the ground, reminding himself this was Usopp's fight and Luffy would not take that from him. He could hear the Usopp pirates defending their captain as he left a small smile finding its way to his face that Usopp had instilled such loyalty in them.
Luffy followed Usopp to the cliff front, the sniper staring out to sea longingly.
Luffy sighed as he settled down beside his sniper offering silent support as Usopp stewed in his anger.
"What are you doing here?" Usopp demanded. "Did you follow me?"
"I wanted to check you were alright, that stupid butler was pretty mean!" Luffy explained watching Usopp.
"Yeah, how dare he insult my old man." Usopp gripped his hands into fists angry.
"I don't care what anyone says your old man is a great pirate!" Luffy grinned remembering the good times he had spent training with the older man.
"Really?" Usopp asked a small smile appearing on his face, curious to hear about the man from someone who actually knew him. "I've always looked up to my old man for living every day with his life on the line, out on the open ocean, he made a brave choice, and I admire him for that, then that stupid snotty butler stomped all over my pride, I'll get him back for that."
"Good." Luffy stated bluntly, he would make sure his friendgot his revenge. "Your Dad would be proud of you for standing up for him."
"Yeah, well how dare that butler say I'm ashamed of my old man!" Usopp sneered.
"Yeah, that damn stupid butler, even seeing his face makes me angry!" Luffy added pointing his hand to the seafront where the butler was walking with Jango.
Usopp insisted they get closer to the suspicious duo so they could find out what was going on, they listened on in horror as Kuro's plan was revealed.
Luffy watched Usopp as he shook in fear, the truth dawning on him, his heart heavy as he realised how much danger his village and Kaya were in. Luffy wished he could put an end to this now and save theheart ache and pain for Usopp but it wasn't fair to take away their experiences. Instead Luffy played the idiot, revealing himself from his cover to shout at the two scheming pirates. Allowing himself to fall for Jango's cheap trick of hypnosis, falling asleep and over tumbling from the cliff edge.
As he fell under, he forced himself to remember that everythingwould befine, Usopp was strong and would make it through the trial to come.
Luffy slept on blissfully, his brain finally switching off under the influence of Jangos hypnosis.
Zoro and Nami followed the youngest Usopp piratesto the clifftop concerned to find Luffy's passed out on the beach front below. Nami cried out in shock and concern, worried her friend had died in a terrible accident. Zoro looked closely,relieved when he could see his captain's chest rising and falling, the boy was alive, they just had to get down and make sure he was uninjured.
As they approached, they could hear soft snores coming from the boy, Zoro paused unwillingto wake Luffy whenhe was actuallygetting some peaceful rest, but Nami had other plans kicking the captain shouting at him to; "Wake up you lazy bum!"
"Good morning, guys" Luffy blinked awake looking at his crew as he stretched, his eyes wide.
Zoro groaned looking at Luffy's innocent face. "You know when you said you'd get some sleep on this island, I didn't think you meant at the bottom of a cliff."
Luffy grinned shutting his eyes as he raised his hand bashfully to his head. "You didn't give me any rules!"
Zoro rolled his eyes fondly at his captain.
"What were you doing sleeping down here anyway?" Nami asked her tone incredulous and her hands on her hips.
"Oh, yeah... that butler is a liar and a bad pirate. He's going to attack the village and kill that nice girl" Luffy exclaimed. "We need to find Usopp and help him!"
"What!"The three Usopp pirates exclaimed."Pirates are going to attack the village and they're going to kill Kaya?"
"Yup, that's what they said, no question about it!" Luffy exclaimed putting his hat back on his head firmly.
"So..." Zoro demanded approaching his captain concerned, Luffy didn't want to sleep at the best of times, never mind when there was an attack on the horizon. "What made you think it would be a good time for a nap?"
"That's the thing. I don't remember going asleep or getting down here at all." Luffy exclaimed happily.
"See this is why you need regular sleep, you're no use to anyone if you're passing out due to exhaustion!" Zoro lectured, he could hear Nami and the Usopp pirates discussing the safety of the village behind him.
Sheepishly Luffy raised a hand to his hat, he knew that he hadn't passed out due to exhaustion, but Zoro did have a point. He had been too reckless lately, forcing himself to avoid sleep while cramped on the boat. He promised himself that once they had Merry he would try and do better.
"Sorry Zoro" Luffy muttered guilty. "I'll do better"
Zoro's glare softened he had seen how afraid his captain was of sleep he just wanted Luffy at top form, he vowed to do anything he could to help keep the monsters at bay.
They were interrupted by the three Usopp pirates rushing off towards the village.
Luffy looked to the direction they were running his Haki registering Usopp, he could feel the young man's pain, they needed to go, their sniper needed them.
When they found the boy Luffy could feel his despair, barely hidden as he spoke to the younger boys, lied to them to protect them. His laugh rang hollow to his ears, but the three boys easily brought the lie, adding salt to the wounds on Usopps heart. His village may have turned their back on him, but the straw hats would not.
Luffy winced as Usopp cried out in pain as Nami cleaned his wounds, the village had hunted him down like a criminal and for what? Because the boy liked to tell a few harmless lies. Luffy was angry, how could these adults hunt down a child, shoot at him? It was despicable, and yet Usopp still cared.
He still vowed to protect the village,he lied to keep them ignorant and safe.
Luffy watched as Nami and Zoro's respect for the sniper grew, they were impressed at his resolve, his bravery to stand up against an army of pirates alone, willing to put his life on the line.
Zoro looked to his captain nodding his head in approval as he gripped his sword, this boy would make a suitableaddition to the crew. "You're a hell of a good guy sending your cronies away and going into battle alone."
"Just so you know I have dibs on all the pirate treasure." Nami affirmed pledging her allegiance to Usopps cause.
"So, you want a little help or what?" Luffy asked smiling at his sniper.
"You guys, you're gonna help me fight all these pirates I don't get it." The sniper looked to the group of pirates eyes wide in shock.
"I don't like pirates that give us a bad name." Luffy affirmed stretching his limbs.
"And you look scared out of your mind." Zoro added supportively.
"For your information I have nerves of steel, I'm perfectly okay with tons of bad guys after all you're looking at the legendary Captain Usopp, brave warrior of the high seas." The group of pirates raised their eyebrows watching the snipers' legs shake below him. "Okay fine I'm scared, why shouldn't I be there captain Kuro's men, these guys mean business, I don't need pity, if you guys are sticking around cause you pity me just leave, I don't need you guys laughing at me."
"Where not laughing at you" Zoro interrupted sternly. "We're helping because you are honourable."
"You really think we'd risk our lives out of pity?" Luffy asked meeting Usopps watery eyes.
"Y-you guys!" Usopp sobbed.
The straw hats helped Usopp set his trap on the slope that connected the village to the shore. It was a smart plan, make it difficult for the droves of pirates to make ground on the hill while they could pick them off from their vantage point. Usopp always had the best plans thought Luffy as he happily assisted.
It was a shame they were setting up on the wrong side of the island.
As morning came Luffy tracked the pirates on the northern side of the island ensuring they wouldn't make it close to the village.
Nami was the first to realise the sounds of battle reaching her ears.
Usopp panicked as his mistake became revealed, his plan ruined by the pirates arriving on a different coast.
"It's fine Usopp, we just have to get to the right place and stop them." Luffy consoled.
"The shore is just to the north, all we have to do is run there, the terrain is exactly the same so all we need to do is stop them at the slope." Usopp advised scratching at his head.
"Oh no, if those stupid pirates are already at the north shore, then they've seen our boats they'll steal our precious treasure." Nami panicked, clutching her bo staff tightly.
Luffy grinned at Nami glad to see her priorities were still intact, he promised the girl he would get there in time to stop them before taking off.
He ran into the treetops before slowing, falling back, out of view sohis sniper could take the lead as they headed to the northern shore.
Luffy watched from the shadows proudly as Usopp stood up to the Black Cat Pirates, bravely standing alone against them as they approached. He watched as Usopp pushed through his fear to try and scare the pirates into retreating, laughing silently as he heard Nami's approach after Usopp tried to bribe the pirates with her hard-earned gold.
Luffy stayed on the sidelines watching as Nami and Usopp made there stand, he laughed joyously as they bickered the two amongst themselves, the two always did have a special bond.
Luffy's joy was short lived when one of the pirates managed to make his way to the two, hammering his weapon into Usopps skull. Luffy's blackened hand took chunks out of the tree beside him as he watched his snipers desperate stand to stop the pirates. His heart begging him to step forward and stop the pain his sniper was receiving as the cat themed crew continued to kick his fallen comrade. He held still listening as Usopp promised he would not let them hurt his village.
His pain was overtaken by pride as Usopp stood through the pain, declaring that he would ensure the village remained ignorant of the attempted attack. Itgrew further as Nami defended Usopp, even as she was thwarted and thrown to the ground both remained determined. Luffy had seen enough, it was time for him to protect his crew.
Luffy stood tall at the top of the hill, face darkunder the shadow of hishat he watched as the pirates approached, watched as they trampled and shoved his crew, they would pay, every single one of them.
Luffy felt Zoro arrive at his side the two moving forward as one,he felt the air pressure change as Zoro's sword landed true, sending half the pirates flying back towards the shore. He raised his own fist, sending a barrage of punches in front of him ensuring the remaining pirates would follow them.
Together they moved as one coming to a stop beside their fallen comrades.
"Is that all they've got?" Zoro asked brow raised.
"I was hoping for a challenge!" Luffy smirked holding hishand out for Usopp to take, gently helping the sniper to his feet as he shook in pain.
"Well its about time!" Nami smirked holding her ribs as she pulled herself up to her knees. "What took you so long?"
"You're the one who pushed me down that oil slick so that you could get out" Zoro spluttered, angry at the navigator.
Luffy tuned out the two arguing pirates turning to Usopp.
"You okay?" Luffy asked voice low.
"I'm glad to see you two, I thought we were goners." Usopp declared, Luffy noted he had not answered his question.
"You did well." Luffy grinned stepping forward passed the sniper. "Now leave it to us!"
"You two should get out of here!" Zoro cautioned as he stepped in line with his captain sword drawn.
The two watched as the now hypnotised pirates made their way up the hill towards them, Luffy smirking to his right-hand man.
"How about a little competition?" Luffy asked challenging. "Whoever downs the most wins!"
Zoro smirked at the boy holding his sword to his mouth. "Get ready to lose captain."
Zoro was shocked as Luffy ran straight down the hill springing over pirates as he made his way to the Black Cats ship, as Zoro sliced and diced his way through the onslaught he watched impressed as Luffy lifted the mast from the Black Cats ship and charged forward holding it high.
Luffy smirked waiving his new battering ram, he easily maneuverer itto thin the herd of pirates. Luffy continued his attack as the pirates fell before him until only Jango and Zoro remained standing on the hill.
"You cheat!" Zoro grunted removing the sword from his mouth rolling his eyes.
"I didn't cheat." Luffy grinned throwing the mast to the ground and coming up to stand at Zoro's side.
"Looks like those guys are out for the count." Nami grinned at the captain as her and Usopp stumbled forward.
"They were weaklings." Zoro smirked as they watched Jango whine about failing his captain.
The group paused as they heard voices come from the damaged ship, Jango calling his trump card the Meowban brothers to arms.
Luffy looked to hisswordsman, he had been out for the count the first time so surely, he would have no problem with this fight. "You got this Zoro?"
Zoro nodded holding his stance firm.
Luffy took a step back joining Nami and Usopp,support Usopps weight as they retreated a safe distance from battle. He was shocked as he tracked Shams movements the agile cat like pirate easily snatching two of Zoro's swords, saw as Zoro desperately trying to regain them as Sham danced around him.
Luffy watched with a critical eye as Zoro struggled through the battle noting how disadvantaged Zoro was without his swords, how easily the feline pirates kept him on the defensive. He would have to ensure Zoro worked hard to get stronger to overcome this weakness.
Luffy felt Usopp shiftbeside him, confidently lining up ashot to try and help Zoro gain an advantage, as the shot flew true Luffy sent forward anarm pluckingthe projectile from the air.
"He was trying to help idiot!" Nami screamed at Luffy as the rubber boy returned his arm to normal holding out the projectile for a shocked Usopp to take back.
"Zoro is strong, he will win." Luffy determined staring ahead, his eyes following the battle.
"They are all over him, if only we could get one of his swords..." Nami whispered looking over to where they lay unguarded.
They were interrupted by the sound's of gasps coming from the Black Cat Pirates.
Luffy's eyes narrowed as he followed their eyeline to the clifftop catching sight of Captain Kuro standing tall his face a mask of disgust as he took in the scene.
Luffy had to take a deep breathas he watched the way Kuro treated his crew, the shameless way he disregarded them, threatened them as he used an archaic form of haki to speed around the field.
Luffy could easily track the captains' movements as he hopped around slicing the Meowban Brothers clothes to shreds using his cat claws. Luffy was unimpressed at the show of power his anger starting to bubble to the surface as the butler gave his ultimatum to the crew.
Luffy could feel Nami sneaking around the field, the cat burglar swiftly making her way to the swordsman's discarded swords. He smirked to himself, once Zoro had his swords the Meowban brothers would be kitten kibble.
While his Zoro dealt with them the captain could deal with the stupid butler, he approached closer holding Kuro in his sights.
"You know a good pirate respects their crew, and has the crews respect in return." Luffy addressed, his tone forced into a casual tenure.
"Who are you to say what a good pirate is?" Kuro looked at the boy coldly a brow raised.
"I'm the future king of the pirates." Luffy smirked before releasing hisfist aiming straight forKuro's face.
As his fist rocketed through the air he saw Kuro step forward to the balls of his feet, affectively he dodged the fist as he turned his bodyslashing his claws through the air.
Luffy watched in horror as Usopp pushed Kaya out of the way taking deep wounds to his back. He had been too cocky and Usopp had gotten hurt. The sight of red blood flowingfrom the wounds had Luffy's brain freezing the sounds of drums starting to echo in his mind.
He fell to his knees in shock.
He brain detached from the situation, focusing on the steadily growing crescendo of drums echoing around his mind. Distantly he could seeKaya making her stand against Kuro, a gun held in shaking hands. He watched as the other captain disarmed her, verbally destroying the kind heated girl.
Luffy begged his body to move, for the rage bellowing in his ears to quiet down so he could think. His haki clung to Usopp's anger tangible as it echoed against his own, something inside his roared, begging to be released, a hunger that wanted torip the butler pirate to pieces.
It was Usopp who moved first grabbing the fallen gun and raising it to the pirates' head, but before he could pull the trigger Kuro moved, faster than the human eye could track the butler held Usopps head between his claws.
An inhuman growl ripped from Luffy's throat as he watchedKuro threaten the life of his sniper. This man would not do any more damage. Luffy's wrist unwound blackening with poweras he struck true into Kuro's face.
Luffy's breath heaved as he tried to force his brain back under control, to force the sound of drumming to retreat.
Before anyone could movethe young Usopp pirates arrived on scene drivingpots and pans into Kuro's face. Kaya and Usopp watched on in horror as the three children stood their ground in front of the murderous pirate, begging them to from the battlefield.
The sniper thanked whatever gods were listening when the butler pirate ignored the kids in favour of kicking him once more into the ground. He would take thepain to protect his family.
The drums hit a crescendo as Luffy watched drowning out the sound ofKuro gaving the order to have everyone could not turn his head away from his sniper broken and bleeding on the ground, still fighting through the pain. He gave the order for his trio of pirates to protect Kaya, to help her escape, as injured as he was, he wasstill trying to protect the ones he loved. Luffy could see the truth, could see the manUsopp was beneath it all, a warrior, one who would lay down his own life if it meant protecting others.
His impassioned plea broke through hiscrews resolve ensuring they took Kaya to seek shelter. As they fled Usopp raised his trembling broken hands, his shot remaining steady as he hit his target providing a moments cover for them to flee.
Enough, Luffy was done, and Kuro was going to pay.
Rising to his feet he silently approached the butler his aura blackening as his anger took hold, it was palatable and thick in the air. Close by Black Cats fainted at his feet as he passed, unable to bare the thick weight falling from the straw hat.
He could tell the moment Kuro became aware of his approach, could feel a burst of fear as the boy drew closer, he was going to kill him. Lucky for the butler anoise from the woods drew Luffy's attention, he would never ignore a member of his crew's pain. Usopp quivered as he pushed himself weakly to his feet, pushing himself to face Captain Kuro.
Luffy felt Zoro appear on his right, hisHaki automatically drawing the swordsman in ensuring he did not feel the effect.
"This guys hopelessly evil." Zoro muttered to his captain, sensing a bloodthirsty anger from Luffy he had not felt before.
Luffy nodded angrily, surrounding himself in Zoro's aura to try to drown out the drums.
"I'm going to put him out of his misery." He warned Zoro in a whisper, knowing that the swordsman would understand the darkness that was taking hold. He held firm to the remaining slither of sanity, not long now he consoled the beast, he just had to protect his crew.
He called across to the broken sniper, his voice sickly sweet with fake smiles."Hey, go protect the others, Nami you too, don't worry we'll take care of this guy."
Zoro nodded; they didn't need to see what was to come. "Go on!" Zoro encouraged, his grip tightening on his sword.
Nami nodded making her way to Usopp who was weakly making his way forward.
Kuro laughed as Usopp lost his footing falling to the ground as he desperately grabbed for purchase.
Kuro's laughs echoed around Luffy's brain thrumming along with the drum beats.
"It hurts." Usopp admitted defeated. "It hurts so bad I can't move."
The words cut Luffy like glass.
"Usopp." Nami muttered sadly as they were forced to listen to Kuro continue to taunt him.
The red haired girl made it to the sniper gripping him tightly she tried to carry him from the slope but it was no good, her legs buckled under the weight causing Usopp to collapse back to the floor.
"Even if you did catch up to Jango, he'd end your life in a blink of an eye, staying there is whats best for you!" Kuro taunted, Luffy growled, this butler was testing his already thin patience.
"I don't care, I don't care that I'm weak I'll protect them, I'm captain of the Usopp pirates, a brave warrior of the sea, I will protect everyone in the village if it kills me, on my word you will never set foot in that village."
The gathered Black Cat Pirates started laughing, Luffy adding them all to his mental list of the dead.
Zoro caught Luffy's eyes seeing the fire inside, a burning inferno ready to alight anything in its way. He recognised the look of someone about to lose control and knew his captain would want the others protected fromwhat was to come. He needed to get them out of here.
Quicker than Zoro could see Luffy moved to grab a nearby boulder effortlessly lifting it up and throwing it at the gathered pirates.
"What's so funny!" The boy screamed trembling under the strain to remain in control.
Zoro quickly made his way to Usopp lifting him effortlessly to his shoulder. Nodding at Nami to follow he addressed his captain.
"Luffy, I'm taking these guys to go after the hypno freak, is that a problem?" Zoro quickly let his captain know they would be leaving, it would be okay, he could let go.
"No, hurry" Luffy spat confident that Zoro could get them away from the scene in time.
As Zoro made to leave, he found his path blocked by the butler pirate himself, but before he could say a word Luffy reached out a vibrating hand, slamming Kuro's head to the ground and urginghis swordsman to get going.
Luffy walked slowly towards the butler, like a tiger approaching its prey.
A distant echo of drums and laughter seemed to thrum around the field, the boy's eyes had a glint of red around the iris as he movedup the slope.
Kuro realising this kid was more powerful than he seemed tried to retreat from the vicinitywatching as his mens blood vessels burst under the thick blackness the boy was emitting.
He watched as man after man was felled by the boy's strange ability.
If the boy wanted to play dirty, then he also had some tricks left up his sleeve.
Kuro stood at the top of the cliff staring down at the strange straw hatted boy and what remained of the Black Cat Pirates. It was time for his ultimate move, one that would fall any in his path. Loosing himself to the power that he felt under his skin he closed his eyes, falling forward he allowed his claws to unfurl ready to slash out and finally be done with this boy.
As he slashed forward, he could taste the blood in the air, he smiled as he prepared himself for victory, then everything stopped.
He opened his eyes to meet the brown eyes of the straw-hat captain, he was shocked to realise the boy had his claws held in his hands, the sharp metal not phasing the boy at all. In fact, the boy was smiling teeth as white as his hair, the brightness burning Kuro's blackened soul.
Belatedly Kuro realised he had made a grave miscalculation. The full weight of Luffy's power bore down on him causing his organs to explode under the pressure. The last sight Kuro saw was the flash of fresh red blood appearing over the boy's bright face.
Luffy blinked as he came back to consciousness.
He found himself drained, knelt in the shallow of the sea, the water around him flowing red.
How had he got here?
Where was his crew?
The last Luffy remembered was watching Kaya as she confronted Kuro at the top of the slope, but now he was alone.
Looking around Luffy was puzzled as he saw the Black cats ship floating gently on the water.
Blinking Luffy felt a familiar presence approach him.
"You okay Captain?" Zoro asked tone careful.
"What happened?" Luffy asked, he tried to wrack his brain searching for answers, but a blackness shrouded his mind.
"You don't remember?" Zoro asked kneeling down in the water beside his captain, meeting his eyes with a careful guarded look.
"I... I don't, we were facing Kuro and then it's all blank." Luffy looked at his hands seeing they were stained red.
Zoro nodded to himself deciding.
"You defeated Kuro, saved the village." Zoro smirked his eyes tight.
"I did?" Luffy questioned, it felt wrong.
"You did, sent them packing." Zoro confirmed, nodding to the ship floating away on the horizon. "I don't think they'll be returning anytime soon."
"T-that's good" Luffy's exhaustion caught up to him, causing him to topple forward unconscious.
Zoro caught his Captain in his arms.
He was forever grateful he had sent Usopp and Nami onward to town for the sniper to seek medical attention while he checked on his captain, the sight he had found when he had arrived would make the toughest men stomachs churn. His captain had been knelt unresponsive in a river of red, blood and guts flowing freely down the hill to the shore.
Zoro had carefully cleaned up the scene ensuring that all traces of the massacre were carefully hidden from the world. Once satisfiedthe swordsman sent the ship out to sea, doomed to float to the bottom of the ocean, his captains' secrets with it.
Zoro had killed his share of people, far from an innocent,but the darkness that lurked beneath his captains jovial exterior was concerning. Zoro couldn't say he felt bad that Kuro had met his end, but he did worry for his captain, concerned that he would lose the boy to the shadows that lurked in his head. Perhaps it was for the best hecouldn't remember what had happened.
He watched the boy as he slept, peaceful. The boy had such a drive for life, drawing everyone into his light effortlessly. He could admit to himself that Luffy had saved him revived him from the monotony of endlessly tracking down his next prey, given him something to believe in. He could see how Nami so withdrawn and suspicious would shine around the boy, laugh in a free way that shook off what ever shackles she was carrying around. How Usopp had shined as Luffy complemented him, bringing out the best in him even in the short time they had met the boy. Sat here in the sea washing the blood from his captains' hands Zoro made a promise, he would not let the darkness win.
Lifting his captain from the sea Zoro carried Luffy to the shore protecting him silently as he recovered from his ordeal.
Nami and Usopp soon joined the two pirates, Nami loudly voicing her disapprovalthat they had allowed the Black Cats to escape without stealing any precious treasure. Sue Zoro, he hadn't considered the treasure when trying to clean up his captains' mess. They sat together on the slope where they had made their stand as life in Syrup Village continued peacefully around them.
Luffy kept looking around as they ate, he could feel Zoro's sharp gaze tracking him as he moved.
Luffy pulled his hat into his hands looking at it longingly, he would give nothing more than to speak to his dad, but under his swordsman's watchful eyes he could not find a moment to slip away.
"Oh, here you are guys!" Kaya stated approaching the group.
"Are you alright being out of bed?" Nami questioned concerned.
"Yes, I think now I can really start to recover, you see my sickness this last year was due to the sudden loss of my parents, and Usopps friendship has really helped me. I can't stay in bed forever you know!" Kaya smiled. "You've all done so much for me I cannot thank you enough, I have prepared a present for you all from the bottom of my heart to show how grateful I am for all that you've done here. I'd be honoured if you'd accept it!"
Luffy allowed a wide grin to come to his face as they made their way to the harbour.
Merry awaiting them floating on the sea ready to carry them forward to their adventures.
Luffy sent out an extended arm pulling himself into Merry's figurehead gently stroking the ram, his heart pouring his love into the wood.
He could feel Merry respond underneath him, warming under his touch.
The moment was disturbed by Usopp barrelling down the hill, quickly Luffy and Zoro brought him to a stop, ensuring no damage came to their ship.
Luffy and Zoro exchanged looks as Usopp declared his intention to hit the high seas and his wishes that he would run into them again one day.
Smiling widely Luffy extended his hand to Usopp asking him to join them on their adventure, eagerly pulling him on board when he accepted.
As night fell around them Zoro withdrew some Sake and the crew shared a cup under the watchful eye of the moon, his captain smiling happily as they drank.
Notes:
Please let me know what you think of the darker turns in the story, this won't be the status quo going forward just at time where its personal, and it will be something that does get addressed, however if this is not what your looking for I wasn't completely sold on this being the route I took and was not the original plan so I could definitely go back and rework.
Luffy does not believe he has any access to gear 5 and will not for a long time, I also don't plan on any of the crew seeing it for a while.